Thousands protest British PM Johnson's move to suspend parliament

By Peter Nicholls and Amanda Ferguson

 

Anti-Brexit protestors demonstrate outside the gates of Downing Street at Whitehall in London, Britain, August 31, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

LONDON/BELFAST (Reuters) - Thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland protested on Saturday against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament for about a month before the deadline for the country to leave the European Union.

 

Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on Oct. 31 with or without a deal on future relations with the bloc. The move to shut parliament for around a month in the period before that will hinder efforts by his opponents to stop him.

 

About 2,000 people gathered outside his office in Downing Street, chanting: "Liar Johnson, shame on you!"

A sign read: "#StopTheCoup. Defend our Democracy. Save our future."

 

The government says it is usual for parliament to be suspended before a new prime minister outlines his policy programme in a Queen's speech, now scheduled for Oct. 14. His supporters also say parliament usually breaks in late September, when the main political parties hold their annual conferences.

 

But his critics say the suspension, known as a prorogation, is unusually long and describe the move as a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the time that lawmakers will have to debate before Britain leaves the EU at the end of October.

 

Opposition lawmakers want to prevent the shutdown of parliament and pass legislation to avoid a no-deal Brexit when they return from summer recess on Tuesday.

 

As well as London, protests were scheduled in other major cities in the four nations of the United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

About 100 people protested outside the city hall in Belfast, the capital of the Northern Ireland, which has become a particular focus in the Brexit negotiations as it has the United Kingdom's only land border with the European Union.

 

The "backstop" insurance policy, part of the withdrawal agreement negotiated between the EU and Britain's former prime minister and which aims to keep the border with Ireland open, has become the main sticking point in negotiations.

 

Johnson wants the backstop removed, saying it could leave Northern Ireland operating under different regulatory rules than the rest of the United Kingdom. The EU and Ireland say Britain has yet to come up with acceptable alternatives.

 

A court case being heard in Belfast next week aims to block Johnson's suspension of parliament on the grounds that a no-deal Brexit would breach the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to the British-run province of Northern Ireland.

 

Protesters said the government had failed to take into account the importance of the border issue.

 

"The thing that scares me most is they have no appreciation of what is important for Northern Ireland. We are not on their radar," said Graham Glendinning, 49, a software worker.

 

"The border means nothing to them and they don’t give two hoots about it."

 

(Reporting by Peter Nicholls in London and Amanda Ferguson in Belfast; Additional reporting by Conor Humphries in Dublin; Writing by Alistair Smout; Editing by Edmund Blair)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-09-01

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2 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

About 2,000 people gathered outside his office in Downing Street, chanting: "Liar Johnson, shame on you!"

Not sure these 2,000 assorted anti-democracy protesters can trump the 17.4 million Brits that actually voted to leave in the referendum?

All remainers...next!

32 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Not sure these 2,000 assorted anti-democracy protesters can trump the 17.4 million Brits that actually voted to leave in the referendum?

Have a look at their banners. They protest against Boris and Cummings shutting down parliament.

Do you think it's ok that Boris shuts down parliament for so long at such a critical time?

What would you think if Corbin would be PM and if he would shut down parliament to make sure he can do what he wants?

 

Of course this is also about Brexit, but the main thing here is that no political leader should shut down parliament to do something only he wants. The majority of Britons and the majority in Parliament are again No-Deal. No Deal is a catastrophe for the UK and anybody who even gambles with that catastrophe should not lead the country.

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Of course this is also about Brexit, but the main thing here is that no political leader should shut down parliament to do something only he wants.

And 17.4 million ,the majority. The vote was leave or stay.

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Have a look at their banners. They protest against Boris and Cummings shutting down parliament.

Do you think it's ok that Boris shuts down parliament for so long at such a critical time?

What would you think if Corbin would be PM and if he would shut down parliament to make sure he can do what he wants?

 

Of course this is also about Brexit, but the main thing here is that no political leader should shut down parliament to do something only he wants. The majority of Britons and the majority in Parliament are again No-Deal. No Deal is a catastrophe for the UK and anybody who even gambles with that catastrophe should not lead the country.

Protesters who for 3 years have been trying to overturn a democratic decision made by our citizens, themselves carrying banners stating "defend democracy, surely you can see the irony in that. And marching down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace with another countrys flag, who actually is staging a coup here, I know who my money is on.

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Have a look at their banners. They protest against Boris and Cummings shutting down parliament.

Do you think it's ok that Boris shuts down parliament for so long at such a critical time?

What would you think if Corbin would be PM and if he would shut down parliament to make sure he can do what he wants?

 

Of course this is also about Brexit, but the main thing here is that no political leader should shut down parliament to do something only he wants. The majority of Britons and the majority in Parliament are again No-Deal. No Deal is a catastrophe for the UK and anybody who even gambles with that catastrophe should not lead the country.

You lost the argument when you mentioned the name Corbyn ,anything he did if he was in power would frighten me ,and destroy Britain .

Yes, taking back control by.....well, shutting down that uniquely British institution which gives you the control.

 

Makes perfect sense.

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Johnson wants the backstop removed, saying it could leave Northern Ireland operating under different regulatory rules than the rest of the United Kingdom. The EU and Ireland say Britain has yet to come up with acceptable alternatives.

That’s because johnson doesn’t have any. 

What's that I hear playing just over the horizon could it be the Kaiser Chiefs ????

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Have a look at their banners. They protest against Boris and Cummings shutting down parliament.

Do you think it's ok that Boris shuts down parliament for so long at such a critical time?

What would you think if Corbin would be PM and if he would shut down parliament to make sure he can do what he wants?

 

Of course this is also about Brexit, but the main thing here is that no political leader should shut down parliament to do something only he wants. The majority of Britons and the majority in Parliament are again No-Deal. No Deal is a catastrophe for the UK and anybody who even gambles with that catastrophe should not lead the country.

Major's Hippocrisy seems to have given you a miss, as has B-liar's reliance upon his unelected sidekick Campbell.

 

"but that's different!"

 

Yeah, Right ????

2 hours ago, vogie said:

Protesters who for 3 years have been trying to overturn a democratic decision made by our citizens, themselves carrying banners stating "defend democracy, surely you can see the irony in that. And marching down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace with another countrys flag, who actually is staging a coup here, I know who my money is on.

Yes, the hypocrisy of the protesters reeks....you couldn't make this stuff up.

I'm actually encouraged that Boris is making a stand. Personally I have been against him and his Eton/Oxford type as being out of touch with real people.....but he has finally put some steel and leverage into the UK's negotiation. 

The people voted to stay or leave...no mention of 'deals' or 'no deals' in the question (I looked it up)...a straight in or out. The EU clearly worked for some people eg those fortunate enough to own villas and chateaux in France....but after 40 years of increasing inequality and the total degradation of the north and north east, I think we can say it didn't work for a whole lot of people...and there are no indications at all that this pattern of increasing inequality and a lousy economic deal for those in the north is ever going to change.

The No deal option was our greatest bargaining chip and May threw it away immediately....that is ridiculous. 39 billion pounds to stay as a vassal to the EU was and is a <deleted> deal. Shame in her.

I have changed my mind about Boris on this issue (he is still awful in other respects, especially his shameless kowtowing and fawning to the Trump and the US). He's a bit like Churchill really....a horrible man who did awful (like burins people in their homes) and stupid things (like the Dardanelles) but did one good thing ie making speeches in the war.

2 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

I'm actually encouraged that Boris is making a stand. Personally I have been against him and his Eton/Oxford type as being out of touch with real people.....but he has finally put some steel and leverage into the UK's negotiation. 

The people voted to stay or leave...no mention of 'deals' or 'no deals' in the question (I looked it up)...a straight in or out. The EU clearly worked for some people eg those fortunate enough to own villas and chateaux in France....but after 40 years of increasing inequality and the total degradation of the north and north east, I think we can say it didn't work for a whole lot of people...and there are no indications at all that this pattern of increasing inequality and a lousy economic deal for those in the north is ever going to change.

The No deal option was our greatest bargaining chip and May threw it away immediately....that is ridiculous. 39 billion pounds to stay as a vassal to the EU was and is a <deleted> deal. Shame in her.

I have changed my mind about Boris on this issue (he is still awful in other respects, especially his shameless kowtowing and fawning to the Trump and the US). He's a bit like Churchill really....a horrible man who did awful (like burins people in their homes) and stupid things (like the Dardanelles) but did one good thing ie making speeches in the war.

 

+1

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

1 hour ago, evadgib said:

Major's Hippocrisy seems to have given you a miss, as has B-liar's reliance upon his unelected sidekick Campbell.

 

"but that's different!"

 

Yeah, Right ????

Then there was Maggie's fist thumping Sir Bernard... 

12 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

Yes, the hypocrisy of the protesters reeks....you couldn't make this stuff up.

 

 

Unfortunately, yes they can make it up and are doing so every day.

1 hour ago, bert bloggs said:

You lost the argument when you mentioned the name Corbyn ,anything he did if he was in power would frighten me ,and destroy Britain .

No, that's the whole point of that argument.

Imagine for a second he would be elected. And then imagine he would shut down parliament for 5 weeks in a very critical time.

People would be on the streets to protest against that - just like now.

Any elected leader should be scrutinized by parliament.

Boris is scared of parliament. And for a reason. He should be scared! 

Not understanding the right to peaceful protest is an essential element of democracy is one thing.

 

Posting your misunderstanding on the Internet for all to see is something else.

14 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

Yes, the hypocrisy of the protesters reeks....you couldn't make this stuff up.

And of course it's not about prorogation, it's all about stopping Brexit, can you imagine if Dominic Grieve was the PM and he was going to prorogue parliament to help stop Brexit, the streets would be as empty as Leeds on New Years Day.

Corbyn is a dangerous man interested only in inflicting himself & his ilk on the UK. It is a case of "anything for a vote" The man is pathetic & totally unfit to lead the opposition party never mind a government.

1 minute ago, David in the north said:

Corbyn is a dangerous man interested only in inflicting himself & his ilk on the UK. It is a case of "anything for a vote" The man is pathetic & totally unfit to lead the opposition party never mind a government.

But...but.. Whatabout...

 

The subject and issue at hand is not your views on Corbyn.

 

 

9 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

Unfortunately, yes they can make it up and are doing so every day.

Talking of making things up you can not get any better than that bus...

4 minutes ago, David in the north said:

Corbyn is a dangerous man interested only in inflicting himself & his ilk on the UK. It is a case of "anything for a vote" The man is pathetic & totally unfit to lead the opposition party never mind a government.

Basically the same could be said of Johnson...

These marches are organised by the extreme left wing socialist workers party, they print the banners and rally support from a small hardcore of people who will march against almost anything just to be antagonistic..... I dont really see how this has attracted so much press as you can see how much support this got around the country from the numbers of marchers.... you get more people attending a local car boot sale on a Sunday morning

7 minutes ago, Basil B said:

Basically the same could be said of Johnson...

Not really, Boris is proving very popular, but obviously not with arch remainers.

Why would anyone resist and protest one's leader to get its country back !

25 minutes ago, Basil B said:

Then there was Maggie's fist thumping Sir Bernard... 

'But that's different' (????)

 

(to be serious I don't recall him being in that league)

7 minutes ago, sn1per said:

These marches are organised by the extreme left wing socialist workers party, they print the banners and rally support from a small hardcore of people who will march against almost anything just to be antagonistic..... I dont really see how this has attracted so much press as you can see how much support this got around the country from the numbers of marchers.... you get more people attending a local car boot sale on a Sunday morning

It seems baseless accusations are a thing on the right.

6 minutes ago, riclag said:

Why would anyone resist and protest one's leader to get its country back !

It was still exactly in the same place the last time I checked.

 

Perhaps you should’ve picked a different Brexit rallying call, something along the likes of wanting the British Parliament’s sovereignty back.

26 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Not understanding the right to peaceful protest is an essential element of democracy is one thing.

 

Posting your misunderstanding on the Internet for all to see is something else.

So why keep doing it?